The Georgian Parliament has passed a bill that seeks to uphold what it refers to as “family values,” with the aim of shielding minors from what the legislation describes as LGBT and homosexual influences. This new law, announced by Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, underscores a delineation of marriage as strictly the union between one genetic man and one genetic woman. The law prohibits sex change operations and requires official documents to denote the genetic sex of individuals. Read more
The legislative measure references a constitutional agreement between the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia and the State of Georgia, which it claims supports traditional family principles. The bill explicitly criminalizes gatherings aimed at promoting homosexual marriage, effectively deepening restrictions on LGBT expression and advocacy within the country. View the text of the bill
While the European Commission for Democracy through Law pointed out that restricting marriage to heterosexual couples aligns with Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), it expressed concern over broader aspects of the legislation. Specifically, the commission noted that barring transsexuals from marriage and prohibiting sex change procedures are in violation of Article 8 of the ECHR, which advocates for the right to private and family life.
Following the passage of the bill, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions on 60 Georgian individuals, citing their role in undermining democratic principles in Georgia. Among those affected are key government officials. In response, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze suggested that Georgia could reconsider its diplomatic ties with the United States if further sanctions are applied. More details on US actions and the Georgian response can be found here. Learn more
The law’s enactment has sparked significant debate both domestically and internationally, with human rights organizations voicing concerns over the impact on LGBT community members and the broader implications for democratic values in Georgia. Full coverage on the legislative developments is available from JURIST.